My husband works long hours and often comes home late. For those days I like to have dinner in the refrigerator for him to heat up. Here are five make ahead meals. These can also be leftover for lunch meals.

Twice baked potatoes are a frequent request when I ask my husband for meal ideas. I made this meal so the potato could be taken out and heated in the microwave.

Container: EasyLunchBoxes

Top Left: Orange

Bottom Left: Peppermint candy

Right Side: Salad with lettuce, radish, carrot, twice baked potato with cheddar cheese

This meal includes several of my husband’s favorites: salad, tapioca pudding, and citrus with mint sugar. This entire meal is meant to be eaten cold.

Container: EasyLunchBoxes

Left Side: Lettuce, cherry tomatoes, mushrooms, hard boiled egg, carrot, mozzarella cheese

Top Right: Tapioca pudding (after I made it, I put it in my EasyLunchBox to cool).

Bottom Right: Grapefruit and orange with mint sugar

This falls under not his favorite but food he will eat category. Anyway, I think that he appreciates my having made something for him.

Container: EasyLunchBoxes

Left Side: Penne pasta with butter, Parmesan cheese, cooked broccoli

Top Right: Grapefruit

Bottom Right: Garlic bread

Potatoes and cheese are two popular ingredients here. I also added fruit and vegetable. This entire meal can be heated in the microwave. Applesauce is great warm!

Container: EasyLunchBoxes

Left Side: Potato and cheese gratin

Top Right: Cooked broccoli

Bottom Right: Applesauce with cinnamon

This one was actually for me as my husband won’t eat black beans. I love having a healthy meal prepared ahead of time.

Container: EasyLunchBoxes

Left Side: Penne pasta with chopped tomatoes, black beans, corn, and Cheddar cheese (I did not use this recipe but it was my inspiration)

Top Right: Strawberries

Bottom Right: Broccoli and carrots

I hope that this gave you some ideas. What do you like to make ahead for dinner and have waiting in your refrigerator?